In one of the most dramatic moments in World Series history, Bill Bevins of the Yankees was no-hitting the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game 4. Going into the bottom of the 9th leading 2-1, Bevins was one out away from history.

      Then a few intentional walks put two runners on. Young Eddie Miksis, in his first full season in the Majors, was put in as a pinch runner. Miksis was one of those rare players that possessed full toolbox of skills that made him an invaluable utility man. One of those skills was he was fast as lightning and smart as Einstein on the base paths. Representing the winning run, he was the obvious choice to pinch run. Cookie Lavagetto pinch hit for Eddie Stanky and promptly smacked a long single to right field. Al Gionfriddo scored the tying run. Meanwhile, the fly ball bounced off the wall and outfielder Tommy Henrich struggled to gain possession of it. Eddie Miksis, exhibiting the extraordinary base running skills he was known for, took full advantage of the situation and raced home with the winning run.

      After the game, Eddie’s brothers, who watched the game from the stands, wisely told their now-famous sibling to preserve the jersey for history’s sake. The flannel has been a prized Miksis family keepsake since that October day in 1947. The excitement that the New Jersey native displayed made him the toast of Brooklyn, and great things were expected from him. The next season his clutch hitting and can-do attitude made Dodgers GM Branch Rickey to exclaim “Miksis will fix us!”. Eddie carved out a 14-year career as one of the most valuable utility men in the game.

      This classic Brooklyn Dodgers white home flannel jersey was worn by Miksis while scoring the winning run in Game 4. The home flannel jersey has “Dodgers” across the chest in vibrant blue felt. Two different off-white replacement buttons are sewn to the top two spots and the remaining five have been removed. “46” is chain stitched in blue in the left front tail of the jersey, indicating it was first issued in 1946. Photographs of Miksis taken during 1947 show him wearing the button-down home flannel while most of the other Dodgers sport the new zipper-front jerseys.

      According to our consigner, Ed Miksis, Jr., his father preferred wearing the ’46 issued jersey over the ’47 one because it fit him better. During his playing career, Eddie’s wife would regularly make personal alterations to her husband’s flannels such as reconfiguring the buttons to get the loose fit he preferred. Ed’s son also shared that his always father disliked zippers, even in his personal wardrobe. The Spalding tag is found in the collar along with a dry cleaning label and “40 REGULAR” tagging. “E. Miksis” is embroidered in blue on a white strip tag and is sewn below the Spalding label. The back has Miksis’ number “34” in 7 5/8” Dodger blue felt. The flannel has taken on a warm, creamy tone with age. There are several light pine tar and turf stains found throughout the jersey, most noticeably on the left and right sleeves and the lower rear tail. The collar exhibits some light perspiration staining. Please refer to our detailed photo on our website www.goldinauctions.com. There are no rips or mothing on the piece, making this one of the finest 1940’s Brooklyn Dodgers flannels in the hobby. It’s provenance of being worn during the historic Game 4 of the ’47 Series makes it even more extraordinary.

      Included with this historic jersey are three press photos of Eddie Miksis while with Brooklyn. The first is an action shot of Miksis on the field during Dodgers spring training. The reverse bears the stamp of “BARNEY STEIN”, the Dodgers famed official photographer. The second is an 8x10 of Miksis at bat in Wrigley Field. The third is an 8 1/2 x 14” aerial press photo showing Miksis (wearing this very flannel) scoring on Cookie Lavagetto’s hit in the 1947 World Series. The photo has been signed in blue marker by Miksis, Phil Rizzuto, Yogi Berra, Al Gionfiddo and Tommy Henrich. The signed photograph comes with a full LOA from PSA/DNA. A beautiful uniform set that brings back all the excitement and glory of one of the most exciting games ever played in Ebbets Field.

Auction Notepad